Collecting Powerful Girlfriends: My Invincible Harem

Central Plaza.

This was one of the most bustling areas in Heavenly Capital City.

Not only were there various shops selling all kinds of goods, but there were also numerous food stalls offering delicious beast meat.

In the very center of the plaza, there was even a martial arts arena where warriors could spar and exchange techniques.

In front of the central arena stood a towering announcement stone, three meters high, with proclamations from the City Lord's Mansion posted on it.

One of these proclamations was particularly notable.

It was a plea from City Lord Murong Fu, offering a hefty reward for anyone who could cure Murong Bo or his daughter, Murong Qingxue.

The reward was a million Spirit Crystals and five high-grade items.

In the past few years, many had taken down this announcement, but all had failed.

Now, no one dared to touch it anymore.

"I've found it, this is the one..."

Bringing Cai Yan to the central plaza, Xiao Chen's gaze locked onto the towering stone.

After a quick search, he took down the announcement.

"Hiss, who is that kid?"

"Does he really think he can cure the old City Lord Murong or the young lady?"

"That's impossible!"

"Even the renowned Alchemy King Gu Qinghe couldn't solve their problem."

"How could a mere youngster possibly succeed?!"

"That kid is in for big trouble!"

"Taking down this announcement without the necessary skills is mocking the City Lord's Mansion!"

"In the past, many frauds who coveted the reward were crippled and thrown into the dungeon by City Lord Murong!"

Seeing Xiao Chen's actions, the surrounding warriors stopped in their tracks, their eyes filled with astonishment.

They couldn't help but whisper among themselves, their gazes filled with ridicule and pity.

"May I ask your name?"

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, a soldier guarding the announcement stone walked over to Xiao Chen with a serious expression.

They were the city guards of Heavenly Capital City, tasked with watching over the announcements to prevent any deliberate sabotage.

Of course, when someone took down an announcement, it was also their duty to escort them to the City Lord's Mansion.

"My surname is Xiao..."

Seeing the two city guards approach without scolding him, Xiao Chen felt a bit of goodwill towards them.

He cupped his hands and reported his surname.

"Young Master Xiao, do you understand the implications of this announcement?"

"Though the reward is tempting, if you don't have the real skills, you could bring disaster upon yourself."

One of the soldiers nodded and warned in a low voice.

"No worries, just take us to the City Lord's Mansion."

Xiao Chen waved his hand dismissively.

"Very well, please follow us."

Seeing Xiao Chen's confidence and the extraordinary aura of Cai Yan beside him, the two soldiers nodded and led them away.

…………

Meanwhile, inside the City Lord's Mansion.

"City Lord, something terrible has happened!!"

"The young lady has attempted suicide again!!"

Murong Fu was in his study when he heard the panicked shout and immediately rushed out.

He sent the reporting soldier flying several meters away with a single push.

"Qingxue!!"

In just a moment, Murong Fu reached Murong Qingxue's room, his expression frantic as he approached her bed.

Two maidservants knelt beside the bed, trembling uncontrollably.

But Murong Fu's attention was not on them; it was on the figure lying on the bed.

This was a woman whose appearance was unrecognizable.

No, it was more accurate to say she resembled an undeveloped ape rather than a human!

Her face bore a crimson mark, and her exposed skin was covered in strange red hair.

She looked more like a monkey than a human!

This was Murong Qingxue, Murong Fu's daughter, born prematurely and suffering from a congenital ailment.

Before the age of ten, Murong Qingxue had been a beautiful little girl, no different from others.

But after she turned ten, red spots appeared on her face, and her body hair grew thicker and eventually turned a bizarre crimson.

She became a human-ape hybrid, seen by many as a cursed creature.

Over the years, Murong Fu had traveled far and wide, seeking help from countless experts, but none could cure Murong Qingxue.

Because of her inhuman appearance, Murong Qingxue had locked herself in her room for years, crying day and night, and attempting suicide multiple times.

But due to the close watch of the servants and her unique constitution, she had never succeeded.

"Her breathing is irregular, but fortunately, she's not in mortal danger..."

After a quick examination, Murong Fu's heart finally settled.

"What happened?"

"Didn't I tell you two to watch over the young lady? How did she manage to hang herself again?"

Murong Fu released Murong Qingxue's wrist and turned to the maidservants, his face darkening.

The icy aura of his killing intent made the room's temperature plummet.

"Qing'er (Hong'er) was negligent for a moment, please forgive us, City Lord."

The two maidservants kept their heads low, trembling even more violently.

"Don't blame them..."

"I found an excuse to send them away. Yelling at them won't help."

Just as Murong Fu was about to speak, Murong Qingxue woke up and spoke in a voice that was ethereal and empty.

It was hard to believe that such a melodious voice, like a clear spring, came from a girl covered in red hair.

"Qingxue?"

Hearing her voice, the darkness on Murong Fu's face vanished, and he quickly turned to look at her.

"Is something bothering you? Tell Father, and I'll take care of it..."

"Father, let me leave this world peacefully..."

Before Murong Fu could finish, Murong Qingxue interrupted him.

"Living..."

"In others' eyes, I'm just a freak, a burden that brings you more chains, only subjecting me to more controversy and torment."

"Father, I'm so tired of living..."

"Though suicide is an act of cowardice and escape, I can't go on like this."

"Qingxue misses Mother..."

"If there's a next life, Qingxue will be your daughter again and repay your kindness."

"But now... please forgive Qingxue's willfulness and let me leave this world."

Her ethereal, melodious voice spoke of despair, echoing in the room.

Murong Fu's body trembled, an indescribable pain nearly suffocating him.

Even Qing'er and Hong'er, who had been kneeling in fear, forgot their terror and began to weep uncontrollably.

As Murong Qingxue's maidservants, they knew better than anyone that her life was more painful than death.

Today, when Murong Qingxue found an excuse to send them away, they had sensed something was wrong.

But they still chose to leave, to fulfill her wish.

Perhaps death was the only true release for Murong Qingxue.

"Qingxue, give Father three more days. I've found a great master who can cure your ailment."

"I promise you, I'll make you well again. So... please wait a little longer, okay?"

Seeing the pleading look in her eyes, Murong Fu fought back tears, his voice filled with supplication.

He knew her pain, knew that living was a torment for her.

But Murong Qingxue was his daughter, the only love child of him and his wife. He couldn't bear to see her take her own life.